Normal sleep at wrong times: 1 to 2 years

Is your toddler taking four-hour power naps during the day but still waking up at night? If so, you need to help her shift her schedule so she does most of her sleeping at the right time – at night.

The experts agree that you need to readjust her clock by waking her from her naps for playtime, by making sure she doesn't snooze too late in the afternoon, and by keeping her room dark at night and light during the day.

Mindell's view

Establish a set bedtime routine. Children love consistency, and a routine will help your child learn to get sleepy at the right time. A three-step routine of a bath, a soothing massage with lotion, and a story has been found to help toddlers go to sleep and stay asleep longer.

The AAP's view

Establish a quiet routine to help your child get the message that it's time to sleep. Listen to soft music, read him a story, or give him a bath. Keep his bedtime the same every night, and let him take a favorite toy or blanket to bed.

Be patient and give it time. Getting upset with your child may make it harder to get him to sleep easily.

Ferber's view

Make sure your child has a regular daily schedule, with naps and meals at the appropriate times. If she's napping late in the day or napping too long and then having trouble falling asleep at night, help her readjust her sleep schedule by gradually moving her meals and nap times earlier or shortening her nap. If she's an early riser, slowly push naps and meals later, then adjust her wake-up time and bedtime as well.

Brazelton's view

Examine your child's daily schedule: Naps after 3 p.m. will break his cycle of activity and diminish his need for sleep at night, so make sure he gets up before then. If he takes both a morning nap and an afternoon nap, consider shortening or eliminating his morning nap.

Sears's view

Choose a consistent nap time for your child and stick to it. To do this, pick two times during the day when you're most tired – late morning and mid-afternoon are common nap times – and lie down with your child. Do this at the same time every day and develop a regular bedtime ritual. These techniques should help your child adjust her sleep schedule.

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